Apparatus and Method for Dynamic Tokenization of Wireless Network Datagrams

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for managing the power or bandwidth consumed by a network of interconnected devices. The apparatus includes a service broker and a token processor disposed within one or more of the devices. The service broker monitors traffic over the network, and directs the one or more of the devices in the network to operate in a tokenized data mode. The token processor receives first tokenized data from the service broker and decodes the first tokenized data into first meaningful data. The token processor also encodes second meaningful data into second tokenized data for transmission to the service broker.

1 . An apparatus for managing a network of devices, the apparatus comprising: 
 a service broker, configured to monitor traffic over the network, and configured to direct a first one or more of the devices in the network to operate in a tokenized data mode; and    a token processor, disposed within said first one or more of the devices in the network, configured to receive first tokenized data from said service broker and to decode said first tokenized data into first meaningful data, and configured to encode second meaningful data into second tokenized data for transmission to said service broker.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network of devices comprises a plurality of wireless devices communicating over a wireless network medium.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the network is configured according to ZIGBEE standards.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network of devices comprises a combination of wired and wireless devices communicating over a wired network medium and a wireless network medium, and wherein said service broker provides for interconnection of the network of devices.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said device broker transmits a tokenized mode command to said first one or more of the devices to direct operation in said tokenized data mode.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said service broker comprises: 
 dynamic tokenization logic, configured to provide a tokenized definition to be transmitted along with said tokenized mode command to said first one or more of the devices.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tokenized data comprises compressed data corresponding to a plurality of fields within a transport level packet.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of fields comprise a message ID field, a service ID field, and a property ID field.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of fields further comprise a data field.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network of devices comprise one or more sensing devices.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network of devices comprises one or more control devices.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said broker is disposed within a second one or more of the devices in the network, and wherein said first and second one or more of the devices may comprise common ones of the devices.  
   
   
       13 . A management mechanism, for controlling the power or bandwidth consumed by devices within a network, said management mechanism comprising: 
 a service broker, configured to monitor traffic over the network, and configured to direct a first one or more of the devices to operate in a tokenized data mode, said service broker comprising: 
 dynamic tokenization logic, configured to provide a tokenized definition, if required, to be transmitted along with a tokenized mode command to said first one or more of the devices; and  
   a token processor, disposed within said first one or more of the devices in the network, configured to receive first tokenized data from said service broker and to decode said first tokenized data into first meaningful data, and configured to encode second meaningful data into second tokenized data for transmission to said service broker.    
   
   
       14 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the network of devices comprises a plurality of wireless devices communicating over a wireless network medium.  
   
   
       15 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the network is configured according to ZIGBEE standards.  
   
   
       16 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the network of devices comprises a combination of wired and wireless devices communicating over a wired network medium and wireless network medium, and wherein said service broker provides for interconnection of the network of devices.  
   
   
       17 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said tokenized data comprises compressed data corresponding to a plurality of fields within a transport level packet.  
   
   
       18 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of fields comprise a message ID field, a service ID field, and a property ID field.  
   
   
       19 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of fields further comprise a data field.  
   
   
       20 . The management mechanism as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said service broker is disposed within a second one or more of the devices in the network, and wherein said first and second one or more of the devices may comprise common ones of the devices.  
   
   
       21 . A method of optimizing power or bandwidth consumed by a network of devices, the method comprising: 
 monitoring traffic over the network;    directing a first one or more of the devices in the network to operate in a tokenized data mode; and    within the first one or more of the devices in the network, receiving first tokenized data and decoding the first tokenized data into first meaningful data, and encoding second meaningful data into second tokenized data for transmission.    
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the network of devices comprises a plurality of wireless devices communicating over a wireless network medium.  
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 configuring the network of devices according to ZIGBEE standards.    
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the network of devices comprises a combination of wired and wireless devices communicating over a wired network medium and a wireless network medium, and wherein said service broker provides for interconnection of the network of the devices.  
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said directing comprises: 
 first transmitting a tokenized mode command to the first one or more of the devices to direct operation in the tokenized data mode.    
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 25 , wherein said directing further comprises: 
 second transmitting a tokenized definition along with the tokenized mode command to the first one or more of the devices.    
   
   
       27 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the tokenized data comprises compressed data corresponding to a plurality of fields within a transport level packet.